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Need some gear help

Posted on 2/20/23 at 10:34 am
Posted by bird35
Georgia
Member since Sep 2012
12228 posts
Posted on 2/20/23 at 10:34 am
My daughter is working at a camp this summer in Colorado. The camp is in the Rocky Mountains elevation 8,700 feet.

Throughout the summer the lows will be between 25-40 degrees and the highs 75-80.

We received the packing list and I’m looking for some good brands of stuff but not necessarily the most expensive like North Face or Columbia.

She needs:

A Jacket
Medium weight fleece
Rain jacket and pants
Winter hat
Gloves
Sleeping bag rated for 20-30 degrees
Sleeping pad

She will sleep in a cabin every night except one per week where they will camp.

If I have to pay a lot for these I will but if anyone knows of a quality product for a decent value of any of this I would appreciate the tips.

Thanks.

Posted by cgrand
HAMMOND
Member since Oct 2009
38880 posts
Posted on 2/20/23 at 10:37 am to
quote:

If I have to pay a lot for these I will but if anyone knows of a quality product for a decent value of any of this I would appreciate the tips.
REI outlet (discontinued/overstock) or REI used gear
Posted by Sparty3131
Baton Rouge
Member since Feb 2019
649 posts
Posted on 2/20/23 at 10:44 am to
Good footwear. Merrell's treated me right working in the mountains. Break them in before camp.
Posted by bigbuckdj
Member since Sep 2011
1835 posts
Posted on 2/20/23 at 10:47 am to
Are they backpacking when they camp?like does she need to carry this stuff?
Posted by bird35
Georgia
Member since Sep 2012
12228 posts
Posted on 2/20/23 at 10:49 am to
I can’t imagine they will hike extremely far to where they will camp. The counselors are all college age but the campers appear to be mostly upper elementary school to middle schoolers.

Posted by Sparty3131
Baton Rouge
Member since Feb 2019
649 posts
Posted on 2/20/23 at 10:51 am to
Get a sleeping bag rated for zero or 10 degrees.
Posted by bigbuckdj
Member since Sep 2011
1835 posts
Posted on 2/20/23 at 10:58 am to
If there’s a chance they will backpack, I’d probably spend a little more on some nice down stuff, marmot is having their end of the year sale. If you sign up for their emails you get 15% off, and active junky has 6% cash back.

Marmot helium 15

That’s just an example but that was $450 a few weeks ago and now you can get one under $200 with active junky and the coupon code. They also have some deals on their jackets and cheaper bags and stuff.

If there’s a chance she will be camping on the ground in 30 degrees, I wouldn’t get anything over a 20 degree bag, and I’d get a pad with a good r value.

Outdoor research makes some good clothes and they have a similar sale going on OR
This post was edited on 2/20/23 at 10:59 am
Posted by bigbuckdj
Member since Sep 2011
1835 posts
Posted on 2/20/23 at 11:02 am to
quote:

Get a sleeping bag rated for zero or 10 degrees.


To this point most bag ratings are survivability, not comfort ratings.
Posted by cgrand
HAMMOND
Member since Oct 2009
38880 posts
Posted on 2/20/23 at 11:06 am to
as noted plenty of sales going on right now

REI
backcountry
OR
prana
etc

let her pick out the stuff she wants

moosejaw is a good place to shop multiple brands
This post was edited on 2/20/23 at 11:15 am
Posted by Ol boy
Member since Oct 2018
2943 posts
Posted on 2/20/23 at 11:32 am to
Check out
Seirra trading post they have a bunch of top brands at close out prices.
Posted by awestruck
Member since Jan 2015
10953 posts
Posted on 2/20/23 at 11:38 am to
quote:

Get a sleeping bag rated for zero or 10 degrees.
Women tend to sleep cooler than men (generally) and manufacturers now offer sleeping bags tailored for their different fit.
Posted by mechatiger
The Pen
Member since Aug 2014
42 posts
Posted on 2/20/23 at 11:51 am to
For a jacket I’d recommend a down puffer jacket. You can spend $300+ on one but I’ve had great luck with the $30 ones from Costco. Amazon also has a good selection of sub $100 puffers.
Medium weight fleeces can be found anywhere- Walmart, old navy, etc. I got my main fleece for four bucks at a thrift shop. A wool sweater works just fine too.
Rain jacket is tougher. Frog Toggs are cheap but loud and not super durable but get the job done. This is one where you largely get what you pay for. Will she be doing much physical activity/sweating? Ventilation zippers help a lot in that situation.
Winter hat? Too many options to list. Use what she has already. I usually carry a lightweight beanie and a heavier warmer hat when I’m backpacking so I can switch based upon temperature.
Gloves depends upon what she’s doing- will she be working? I’m partial to insulated soft leather work gloves, but if and when they get wet they take a lot longer to dry. Usually I only take a light pair of poly gloves in the summer unless I’m doing trail work.
I highly recommend the Kelty cosmic down 20 sleeping bag. It’s down, will keep you comfortable to about 30 degrees (lower if using a bag liner or wearing extra clothes), lightweight and packable enough for shorter backpacking trips, and is less than $110 on rei right now. The poster that recommended a 0-10 degree bag is way off, she’ll be burning up in the 50 degree summer nights unless she’s a really cold sleeper.
Pad? Could go as cheap as you want but I like a decent backpacking air mattress. Quality of sleep directly translates to quality of life. I’d try to check them out at a physical rei or other outdoor store if you can since it’s largely a personal preference/sleep style. Sea to summit, therm a rest, big Agnes, and Nemo all make quality pads. There’s a basic Nemo pad on sale at rei for less than $55 right now.

Posted by lsufan1971
Zachary
Member since Nov 2003
18338 posts
Posted on 2/20/23 at 12:10 pm to
KUIU has a Presidents’ Day sale with a lot of stuff 50% off. Their stuff is top notch

LINK
Posted by Shexter
Prairieville
Member since Feb 2014
13934 posts
Posted on 2/20/23 at 12:15 pm to
quote:

moosejaw is a good place to shop multiple brands



Also, check out https://www.steepandcheap.com/ where gear is VERY discounted. That site scans all the other sites and finds bargains.

BTW, how did your daughter happen upon this job? I'd love it if one of my kids did this one summer.
Posted by bird35
Georgia
Member since Sep 2012
12228 posts
Posted on 2/20/23 at 12:56 pm to
She applied directly with the camp. It is a YMCA camp called Camp Ourya.

They are paying her pretty well. But she is working from Monday morning through Saturday morning every week.

Posted by awestruck
Member since Jan 2015
10953 posts
Posted on 2/20/23 at 3:39 pm to
Since your not after Pata-gucci or similar the big dollars will probably be best spent on lightweight and packable (compressible). Which will also help in everyday camp. Can you find out what she needs to be light?

I'd spend up on a light sleeping bag. Hint you can blanket it like a quilt when it's not really cold. Add dollar up again for a nice pack able rain jacket, she'll carry it everywhere, from now on until it's threadbare worn and thrown in the trunk of her car.

And although not listed - a buff tubular thingy. I've heard of people straining soup through one. They wad up small, never wrinkle, and incredibly versatile.
Posted by TigerOnTheMountain
Higher Elevation
Member since Oct 2014
41773 posts
Posted on 2/20/23 at 4:05 pm to
REI is currently having a 50% off members sale. Membership is $40 I believe? I don’t remember exactly as I’ve been a member for a long time.

REI

My wife really likes the fit and style of Cotopaxi. Drives me crazy when she comes with me and I’m in coyote brown, black, OD green, and she’s in these colorful Cotopaxi stuff

Oh and if she’s going to be Colorado, don’t forget to get her some Birks bro.
This post was edited on 2/20/23 at 4:10 pm
Posted by Landmass
Member since Jun 2013
18181 posts
Posted on 2/22/23 at 12:25 am to
Get a jacket from Columbia. Their insulated jackets will last for decades. Mine stood up to a winter in Wyoming with no issues. They are rain ready and can break down to an outer or inner shell only as needed to serve as a light jacket or rain coat. For the money, you aren't going to get anything more versatile and with better quality.
Posted by LSUintheNW
At your mom’s house
Member since Aug 2009
35755 posts
Posted on 2/22/23 at 2:29 am to
quote:


If I have to pay a lot for these I will but if anyone knows of a quality product for a decent value of any of this I would appreciate the tips.


Search around for deals. I have all that stuff in top quality gear but I didn't buy it all at once.

Sierra trading post
Campmor
Rei outlet

Backcountry routinely gives 20% off.

Don't go cheap on the pad or bag. It can last many many years and you want a quality sleep system.

Thermarest pad
Several companies make good bags. I have marmot.
Posted by LSUduckhunter
Houston, TX
Member since Aug 2005
96 posts
Posted on 2/22/23 at 8:40 am to
I'd add a good merino base layer. Wait till REI, First Lite or KUIU have a sale.
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